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| Jordin Sparks | 
 enlarge | Artist: Jordin Sparks
Label: Jive
Category: Music
List Price: $18.98
Buy New: $7.36
You Save: $11.62 (61%)
New (56) Used (21) from $6.43
Avg. Customer Rating:  155 reviews
Sales Rank: 213
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.4
MPN: 718752
UPC: 886971875225
EAN: 0886971875225
ASIN: B000WQ9U9Y
Release Date: November 20, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new, never opened, in stock in our warehouse, and ships right now. Case probably has a very small scuff or crack.
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| Customer Reviews:
 'Jordin Sparks' mixes positivity with pop November 20, 2007
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
What kind of album do you get when you give a 17-year-old powerhouse singer an assortment of catchy hooks and well-written lyrics? American Idol-winner Jordin Sparks' self-titled effort, that's what. Since wetting fans' appetites with the Stargate-produced "Tattoo" in August, Sparks is looking to inch her way into the pop music scene with her debut.
Although not every track on `Jordin Sparks' is worthy of the teen sensation's vocals, the vast majority are. Obviously, lead single "Tattoo" is a standout thanks to its masterful production, but where Sparks truly shines is the ballad "Permanent Monday." She uses her signature emotional vibrato and power notes on this Christina Aguilera-esque lovesick track. "Monday" could easily dominate the Adult Contemporary circuit if given the chance.
Where Sparks has the hottest potential hit on her hands is her duet with Chris Brown, "No Air." The production on "Air" is comparable to anything Timbaland could whip up, and the bridge is one of the busiest, most beautiful "disasters" ever heard because the two teens' vocals harmonize perfectly despite the complexity.
Another gem on `Sparks' is "Freeze," as its instrumentation bears a striking resemblance to Nelly Furtado's "Say It Right." Sparks offers an interesting scenario on "God Loves Ugly," as she takes a stand against discrimination against people not seen as "ideal-looking." The lyrics on "Ugly" are the best on the entire album, and really strikes a chord no matter what the listener thinks of their body type.
The album also provides a variety of Top 40-ready, catchy mid- to up-tempo tracks like "Now You Tell Me," "One Step At a Time," and "Just For the Record," which are all harmless and age-appropriate for Sparks. "Next to You" is comparable to something an early Mariah Carey would record, and showcases Sparks' lower register better than any other track on the album.
Sparks' `Idol' coronation song "This Is My Now" makes an appearance as a bonus track, which together with the sleep-inducing, tedious "See My Side" create a few speed bumps on the album.
But the two tracks that have no business being included on `Sparks' are juvenile "Shy Boy" and juvenile-er "Young and In Love." Sparks' voice is rendered unrecognizable thanks to the overused synthesizers and the loud, obnoxious 80s' beats drag the tracks to the lowest of lows. To say these songs deserved to be on label-mate Britney Spears' latest album `Blackout' would be considered a low blow.
Thankfully these disappointments are countered by Sparks' superb performances on the majority of the album, which set the foundation for her still very young career.
 Jordin Sparks - The Latest American Idol Winner November 22, 2007
10 out of 13 found this review helpful
Jordin Sparks climbed the ranks of Idols after she brilliantly performed Ben E King's "I (Who Have Nothing)", and eventually she went all the way winning the entire competition, the youngest of all winners at only 17. Jordin was a very likeable charachter, just like a little sister she was enthusiastic and always eager to learn and improve. And for each week she just got better. But apart from previous winners like Carrie Underwood (county) Taylor Hicks (Rock) and Kely Clarkson (first winner) she doesn't have the obvious style or image to make an album that truly feels like her own. And like most of us already knew, Producers always have a huge impact on the debut albums of an American Idol winner. Jordin is still very young but it feels like this is the case with her debut album, even more then by previous winners. With 13 songs, her debut album can be divided into 2 parts, ballads and pop with a few rock exceptions. Most of the ballads come from Norwegians Stargate (Because of You, Irreplacable, Hate That I Love You) while Emanuel Kirakou and Underdogs also get production credits. The pop/uptempos mostly comes from Bloodshy & Avant that recently produced half of the songs from Britney's Blackout. Having said that The sound is rather fammiliar and feels like the works of producers not Jordin but unfortunatley the hit singles are rather few even if there are no bad songs on this album.
The first song is her first single "Tattoo" a ballad from Stargate that is currently climbing the charts and it's really good. The album continues with another strong number a midtempo called "One Step at The Time" that is an obvious single in my opinion and perhaps the best song. The Underdogs stand for the most exciting moment with "No Air" a duet with fellow teenager Chris Brown. Like most Underdogs cuts, this is also a ballad and a highlight. Stargate continues with "Freeze" and later "Just for the Record", the latter sound like Stargate ballad with accoustic guitars and Rock/Pop sound. Swedish producers Bloodshy & Avant produce "Shy Boy", "Young And In Love" and "See My Side", the first two continue the trend of songs they did for Britney with exciting futuristic produtions but less memorable lyrics. "See My Side" is actually a ballad and was co-written by Swedish singer Robyn that also sang backround vocals on Britney's album. Some people will like this one, others find it boring. "Now You Tell Me" is a rocky power ballad and so is "Permanent Monday". "Next To You" another classic ballad while "God Loves Ugly" a serious ballad about god's love for everyone. Bonus song is the Idol song "This is Me Now".
Overall, Despite the fact that no song is bad and around 4 are hit warnings it end up feeling like the work of producers and rather typical for a winner of an reality show where the producers and Ceo's have a major impact of the end product. It also kinda borrows the sound of Ne-Yo and Britney and doesn't feel too personal either. However, Jordin is still young and she's a skilled singer and likeable person. I'm sure that her next album will be a major improvement with more personal impact. Should you buy it or not? I say yes. It's a decent album and the hit singles are really good and there are plenty of growers aswell. The album is also very safe with nothing controvercial or unexpected, so it should apply alot to a younger audience and perhaps as good xmas gift.
 Bland. Bland. Bland December 4, 2007
10 out of 13 found this review helpful
Her talent is wasted by such bland songs. It seems the Idol franchise is intent on making very bland cd's. All personality is lost. Not much here but very generic, bland, pop.
Sparks smolders March 20, 2008
10 out of 12 found this review helpful
... and by "smolders" I mean that she glows and is smokin' hot, but thanks to some damp material she falls just short of igniting the fiery album I was expecting.
Pretty, bubbly, young, a great performer and with an amazing voice, Jordin Sparks nails some winners in this album, which already has three hits under its belt:
1.This is My Now - the song she sang to take the American Idol title from Blake Lewis (Granted, he was at a disadvantage due to not being able to change up the song to better suit his style)
2.Tattoo - Definitely mainstream pop, a catchy song geared towards radio and television saturation. (I still like it) Co-written by Sparks.
3.No Air - Hot, hot song with hottie Chris Brown (need I say more?)
Other songs to look out for:
One Step at a Time - An upbeat, funky song, well suited to her voice
Now You Tell Me - An ideal pop song for an Idol graduate
Next to You - Mid tempo song carried by the chorus
Just For the Record - Another mainstream pop song
Not that hot:
"Freeze" - Self-explanatory. She sings well, but it's not a really good song. Co-written by Sparks
"Shy Boy", "See My Side", "God Loves Ugly" - Monotonous
"Permanent Monday", "Young and In Love" -Unmemorable
This debut album proves that Sparks has the voice to soar to greater heights, but she needs some edgier material to push her above the rest of the mainstream crowd.
Amanda Richards, March 20, 2008
Great Talent, Wrong Hands = Generic Sound November 21, 2007
9 out of 13 found this review helpful
I loved Jordin on American Idol - she has a beautiful voice that strength, lie in the fact that it was mature beyond its years. However, it seems as if her producers have put her on some "Pop Rock" level thinking it would = a hit record. Jordan has enought talent to be more than just an American Idol - if groomed properly with a staff which creates the type of music she sings best that really shows off her best qualities- she can make it into the ranks of the Mariah and Whitney. "Pop", almost Britney Spearish type music is an insult to her voice since its quite obvious that you can take any random girl off the street and put a machine to her voice and shes a "singer." I am really disappointed - not in Jordin because I know shes capable- but whatever incompetent management team which is robbing her of the opportunity to really begin a true, respected career with this "pop rock in a can" nonsense.
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